Capitol Hill is now home to a new independent bookstore that celebrates LGBTQ+ authors and stories. Little District Books (737 Eighth St. SE) opened in mid-June on Barracks Row and boasts a readily browsable selection of books in every genre.
The inviting space offers a distinctly modern ambiance, with recessed lighting and metal accent walls providing a crisp background for the stacks and rows of colorful books.
Owner Patrick Kern says he “was looking for a very specific vibe for the neighborhood where the bookstore would be.” He picked the Barracks Row area because it “has good hustle and bustle with both neighborhood and non-neighborhood residents.”
The fact that he would be joining other LGBTQ businesses in the area, such as As You Are and Honeymade, was also a plus. “We are a proud part of a neighborhood that has been a haven for the LGBTQ+ community over the past 50+ years,” he notes.
Local reception has been enthusiastic. “So far everything has been really great,” Kern says. Lots of people are excited to see an LGBTQ+ store in the area and some have already become repeat customers.
“We are community-oriented,” he says, “so we get a lot of positive response when people come in, recommend a book, and then see it on the shelves the next time they stop in.” The store has just launched its first two book clubs and Kern reports that many participants have already signed up.
Little District Books is at 737 8th St., SE, Wed.-Sat., noon-6pm and Sun., 11am- 6pm, or visit online at http://littledistrictbooks.com.
